Bridge work is killer blow for big event

THIS year's flagship Halton Show has been sensationally axed because council chiefs believe extensive work on the Silver Jubilee Bridge would make it impossible for traders and visitors to reach the Spike Island showground.

THIS year's flagship Halton Show has been sensationally axed because council chiefs believe extensive work on the Silver Jubilee Bridge would make it impossible for traders and visitors to reach the Spike Island showground.

The decision to scrap the show - which has become the borough's top summer attraction - was taken on police advice.

Police feared thousands of people could have been caught up in traffic jams caused by vital roadworks on the bridge if the show went ahead on the weekend of July 17-18.

The main expansion joints, which are essential to bridge safety, are more than 40 years old and must be replaced.

Repairs requiring lane closures can only be carried out at night and weekends and work must be done in the summer months when there are more daylight hours and traffic is lighter. Repairs will take place during 14 weekends and start before the end of June.

Engineering consultant Mott McDonald and contractor Mowlem have concluded that traffic will be significantly slowed by the work.

Last year roadworks on the bridge brought Runcorn and Widnes town centres to a standstill for hours as traffic jams several miles long built up on both sides of the Mersey.

A council spokesman said: 'The experience of last year's maintenance work has shown that major problems can be expected.

'The police expressed serious concerns that holding the Halton Show while the capacity of the bridge is so severely compromised presents an unacceptably high risk. The council has concluded that the risks outweigh any benefits associated with the show.'

Cllr Rob Polhill - the executive board member responsible for Halton Show - said the authority had been saddened by the decision but was left with no alternative other than cancellation.

He said: 'With all this vital improvement ongoing in the town centres and the major repair work on the bridge during the summer months, the council has decided that it would be impossible to guarantee easy access to the show for traders and visitors, which is why we concluded that it would be wise not to proceed with the Halton Show this year.

'Public safety is the priority, but the show will be back next year and we hope that the traders, local businesses and local residents and visitors to Halton will support it as generously then as they have done in recent years.

'The work on the bridge is necessary and while the major effort now being made would ensure the continuing safe operation of the bridge, it is clear the only long-term solution to the problems of congestion through Runcorn and Widnes is the early construction of the new Mersey crossing.'